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DC responsive transducer with on-board user actuated auto-zero

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Názov: DC responsive transducer with on-board user actuated auto-zero
Patent Number: 8,823,364
Dátum vydania: September 02, 2014
Appl. No: 12/914550
Application Filed: October 28, 2010
Abstrakt: An accelerometer is provided having a power circuit, a detection circuit, and a compensation circuit. The compensation circuit is operative to measure an offset voltage occurring between an output reference voltage from the power circuit and an output voltage from the detection circuit state, store the offset voltage during a zero acceleration, and output the stored offset voltage to alter the output voltage of the detection circuit.
Inventors: Connolly, Thomas F. (Lake Forest, CA, US); Zhong, Ming (Guangdong, CN)
Assignees: Measurement Specialties, Inc. (Hampton, VA, US)
Claim: 1. A transducer-based measuring device comprising: a power circuit for providing a reference voltage to a first output terminal of the measuring device; a detection circuit for providing an output voltage to a second output terminal of the measuring device, the output voltage indicative of an accelerative force acting on the measuring device; and a compensation circuit embedded between the power circuit and the detection circuit of the measuring device and operatively connected to both the power circuit and the detection circuit, the compensation circuit configured to measure and store an offset voltage between the reference voltage and the output voltage, and continuously output the stored offset voltage to the detection circuit to provide an adjusted output voltage representative of a zero-offset condition.
Claim: 2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the compensation circuit further comprises a voltage reference module operative to store and continuously output the offset voltage.
Claim: 3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the voltage reference module stores the offset voltage upon receipt of a control signal, and wherein the offset voltage output by the voltage reference module remains constant after receipt of the control signal and until receipt of a subsequent control signal.
Claim: 4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the control signal is generated by a user-activated switch arranged on the device.
Claim: 5. The device of claim 3 , further comprising a processor operative to generate the control signal upon a determination that the device is in a zero acceleration state.
Claim: 6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the compensation circuit further comprises an operational amplifier coupled to the output voltage and the reference voltage, the amplifier configured to output the offset voltage measured between the reference voltage and the output voltage.
Claim: 7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the detection circuit comprises a second operational amplifier responsive to the output voltage of the detection circuit and the offset voltage and configured to alter the output voltage supplied to the second output terminal.
Claim: 8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the detection circuit comprises at least one of a piezo-resistive, piezoelectric, or strain gauge element configured to alter the output voltage of the detection circuit indicative of an accelerative force acting on the measuring device.
Claim: 9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the detection circuit comprises a plurality of piezo-resistive elements arranged in a Wheatstone bridge.
Claim: 10. A method of correcting an offset voltage of a transducer-based measuring device, the method comprising: generating a reference voltage; generating an output voltage indicative of an accelerative force applied to the measuring device; measuring an offset voltage between the reference voltage and the output voltage with a compensation circuit embedded within the measuring device, and adjusting the output voltage with the measured offset voltage in order to achieve a zero-offset voltage between the reference voltage and the output voltage in a zero acceleration state.
Claim: 11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of storing the measured offset voltage in response to a control signal.
Claim: 12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the control signal is generated while the device is in a zero acceleration state.
Claim: 13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of continuously outputting the stored offset voltage to adjust the output voltage.
Claim: 14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the control signal is generated in response to the user-activation of a switch arranged on the measuring device.
Claim: 15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the control signal is automatically generated by a processor.
Claim: 16. A transducer-based measuring device comprising: a power circuit configured to generate a reference voltage; a detection circuit configured to generate an output voltage indicative of an accelerative force applied to the measuring device; and a compensation circuit embedded within the measuring device and configured to: measure an offset voltage between the reference voltage and the output voltage; and adjust the output voltage with the measured offset voltage in order to achieve a zero-offset voltage between the reference voltage and the output voltage in a zero acceleration state.
Current U.S. Class: 324/162
Patent References Cited: 4192005 March 1980 Kurtz
5045685 September 1991 Wall
6422088 July 2002 Oba et al.
6424143 July 2002 Blossfeld et al.
6722203 April 2004 Evans et al.
7117714 October 2006 Nakayama
8197133 June 2012 Schultz et al.
2002/0067255 June 2002 Tanizawa
2010/0071466 March 2010 Kanai et al.
Other References: Title: “Low Power, Single-Supply Difference Amplifier” ; 1996 Burr -Brown Corporation for Texas Instrument; pp. 1-9 including addedum pp. 1-3. cited by examiner
International Search Report dated Feb. 16, 2012 for related application PCT/US2011/058347. cited by applicant
“Operating Manual Model 101 3-Channel DC Signal Conditioner Amplifier”, Measurement Specialties, Inc., Vibation Sensors Design Center, Operating Manual Model 101, Revision 1, 14 pages, www.meas-spec.comvibration@meas-spec.com. As accessed Feb. 15, 2011. cited by applicant
“Model 101 DC Signal Condtioner”, Measurement Specialties, Inc., Model 101, Revision B, 2 pages, Jun. 5, 2009, enduser@meas-spec.com. cited by applicant
Assistant Examiner: Nguyen, Hoang X
Primary Examiner: Vazquez, Arleen M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Howard IP Law Group, PC
Prístupové číslo: edspgr.08823364
Databáza: USPTO Patent Grants
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IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: DC responsive transducer with on-board user actuated auto-zero
– Name: DocumentID
  Label: Patent Number
  Group: Patent
  Data: 8,823,364
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Patent
  Data: September 02, 2014
– Name: DocumentID
  Label: Appl. No
  Group: Patent
  Data: 12/914550
– Name: DateFiled
  Label: Application Filed
  Group: Patent
  Data: October 28, 2010
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: An accelerometer is provided having a power circuit, a detection circuit, and a compensation circuit. The compensation circuit is operative to measure an offset voltage occurring between an output reference voltage from the power circuit and an output voltage from the detection circuit state, store the offset voltage during a zero acceleration, and output the stored offset voltage to alter the output voltage of the detection circuit.
– Name: Author
  Label: Inventors
  Group: Patent
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="ZA" term="%22Connolly%2C+Thomas+F%2E%22">Connolly, Thomas F.</searchLink> (Lake Forest, CA, US); <searchLink fieldCode="ZA" term="%22Zhong%2C+Ming%22">Zhong, Ming</searchLink> (Guangdong, CN)
– Name: OtherAuthors
  Label: Assignees
  Group: Patent
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="ZS" term="%22Measurement+Specialties%2C+Inc%2E%22">Measurement Specialties, Inc.</searchLink> (Hampton, VA, US)
– Name: Comment
  Label: Claim
  Group: Patent
  Data: 1. A transducer-based measuring device comprising: a power circuit for providing a reference voltage to a first output terminal of the measuring device; a detection circuit for providing an output voltage to a second output terminal of the measuring device, the output voltage indicative of an accelerative force acting on the measuring device; and a compensation circuit embedded between the power circuit and the detection circuit of the measuring device and operatively connected to both the power circuit and the detection circuit, the compensation circuit configured to measure and store an offset voltage between the reference voltage and the output voltage, and continuously output the stored offset voltage to the detection circuit to provide an adjusted output voltage representative of a zero-offset condition.
– Name: Comment
  Label: Claim
  Group: Patent
  Data: 2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the compensation circuit further comprises a voltage reference module operative to store and continuously output the offset voltage.
– Name: Comment
  Label: Claim
  Group: Patent
  Data: 3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the voltage reference module stores the offset voltage upon receipt of a control signal, and wherein the offset voltage output by the voltage reference module remains constant after receipt of the control signal and until receipt of a subsequent control signal.
– Name: Comment
  Label: Claim
  Group: Patent
  Data: 4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the control signal is generated by a user-activated switch arranged on the device.
– Name: Comment
  Label: Claim
  Group: Patent
  Data: 5. The device of claim 3 , further comprising a processor operative to generate the control signal upon a determination that the device is in a zero acceleration state.
– Name: Comment
  Label: Claim
  Group: Patent
  Data: 6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the compensation circuit further comprises an operational amplifier coupled to the output voltage and the reference voltage, the amplifier configured to output the offset voltage measured between the reference voltage and the output voltage.
– Name: Comment
  Label: Claim
  Group: Patent
  Data: 7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the detection circuit comprises a second operational amplifier responsive to the output voltage of the detection circuit and the offset voltage and configured to alter the output voltage supplied to the second output terminal.
– Name: Comment
  Label: Claim
  Group: Patent
  Data: 8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the detection circuit comprises at least one of a piezo-resistive, piezoelectric, or strain gauge element configured to alter the output voltage of the detection circuit indicative of an accelerative force acting on the measuring device.
– Name: Comment
  Label: Claim
  Group: Patent
  Data: 9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the detection circuit comprises a plurality of piezo-resistive elements arranged in a Wheatstone bridge.
– Name: Comment
  Label: Claim
  Group: Patent
  Data: 10. A method of correcting an offset voltage of a transducer-based measuring device, the method comprising: generating a reference voltage; generating an output voltage indicative of an accelerative force applied to the measuring device; measuring an offset voltage between the reference voltage and the output voltage with a compensation circuit embedded within the measuring device, and adjusting the output voltage with the measured offset voltage in order to achieve a zero-offset voltage between the reference voltage and the output voltage in a zero acceleration state.
– Name: Comment
  Label: Claim
  Group: Patent
  Data: 11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of storing the measured offset voltage in response to a control signal.
– Name: Comment
  Label: Claim
  Group: Patent
  Data: 12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the control signal is generated while the device is in a zero acceleration state.
– Name: Comment
  Label: Claim
  Group: Patent
  Data: 13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of continuously outputting the stored offset voltage to adjust the output voltage.
– Name: Comment
  Label: Claim
  Group: Patent
  Data: 14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the control signal is generated in response to the user-activation of a switch arranged on the measuring device.
– Name: Comment
  Label: Claim
  Group: Patent
  Data: 15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the control signal is automatically generated by a processor.
– Name: Comment
  Label: Claim
  Group: Patent
  Data: 16. A transducer-based measuring device comprising: a power circuit configured to generate a reference voltage; a detection circuit configured to generate an output voltage indicative of an accelerative force applied to the measuring device; and a compensation circuit embedded within the measuring device and configured to: measure an offset voltage between the reference voltage and the output voltage; and adjust the output voltage with the measured offset voltage in order to achieve a zero-offset voltage between the reference voltage and the output voltage in a zero acceleration state.
– Name: CodeClass
  Label: Current U.S. Class
  Group: Patent
  Data: 324/162
– Name: Ref
  Label: Patent References Cited
  Group: Patent
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="RF" term="%224192005%22">4192005</searchLink> March 1980 Kurtz<br /><searchLink fieldCode="RF" term="%225045685%22">5045685</searchLink> September 1991 Wall<br /><searchLink fieldCode="RF" term="%226422088%22">6422088</searchLink> July 2002 Oba et al.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="RF" term="%226424143%22">6424143</searchLink> July 2002 Blossfeld et al.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="RF" term="%226722203%22">6722203</searchLink> April 2004 Evans et al.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="RF" term="%227117714%22">7117714</searchLink> October 2006 Nakayama<br /><searchLink fieldCode="RF" term="%228197133%22">8197133</searchLink> June 2012 Schultz et al.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="RF" term="%222002%2E0067255%22">2002/0067255</searchLink> June 2002 Tanizawa<br /><searchLink fieldCode="RF" term="%222010%2E0071466%22">2010/0071466</searchLink> March 2010 Kanai et al.<br /><br /><br /><br />
– Name: Ref
  Label: Other References
  Group: Patent
  Data: Title: “Low Power, Single-Supply Difference Amplifier” ; 1996 Burr -Brown Corporation for Texas Instrument; pp. 1-9 including addedum pp. 1-3. cited by examiner<br />International Search Report dated Feb. 16, 2012 for related application PCT/US2011/058347. cited by applicant<br />“Operating Manual Model 101 3-Channel DC Signal Conditioner Amplifier”, Measurement Specialties, Inc., Vibation Sensors Design Center, Operating Manual Model 101, Revision 1, 14 pages, www.meas-spec.comvibration@meas-spec.com. As accessed Feb. 15, 2011. cited by applicant<br />“Model 101 DC Signal Condtioner”, Measurement Specialties, Inc., Model 101, Revision B, 2 pages, Jun. 5, 2009, enduser@meas-spec.com. cited by applicant
– Name: AuthorEditor
  Label: Assistant Examiner
  Group: Patent
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="ZE" term="%22Nguyen%2C+Hoang+X%22">Nguyen, Hoang X</searchLink>
– Name: AuthorEditor
  Label: Primary Examiner
  Group: Patent
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="ZE" term="%22Vazquez%2C+Arleen+M%22">Vazquez, Arleen M</searchLink>
– Name: AuthorCorporate
  Label: Attorney, Agent or Firm
  Group: Patent
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="ZG" term="%22Howard+IP+Law+Group%2C+PC%22">Howard IP Law Group, PC</searchLink>
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: edspgr.08823364
PLink https://erproxy.cvtisr.sk/sfx/access?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edspgr&AN=edspgr.08823364
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: DC responsive transducer with on-board user actuated auto-zero
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Connolly, Thomas F.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Zhong, Ming
    IsPartOfRelationships:
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          Dates:
            – D: 02
              M: 09
              Text: September 02, 2014
              Type: published
              Y: 2014
ResultId 1